HPC players urged to “make it count”

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Graeme West has urged the members of his Sagicor West Indies High Performance team to make the most of the “golden opportunity” when they play against Zimbabwe.

The Sagicor HPC Head Coach gave the advice to the emerging players as they prepared to for action against their more experienced visitors at the Desmond Haynes Oval at the Carlton Cricket Club complex.

The three-day contest will be played from Thursday to Saturday and will be a minimum of 90 overs per day. First ball is 10 am (9 am Jamaica Time).

“We are certainly looking forward to the game. This is a chance for the players and the Sagicor HPC to showcase what we have been doing and what we are all about since the players came into the programme last June,” West told WICB Media on the eve of the match.

“Individuall y, we are looking for players to perform and to progress; and collectively, we are looking for a performance which demonstrates the positive manner in which we approach the game and the professionalism we have drilled into the players throughout the programme.”

West added: “Obviously, we want to be as competitive as possible and put Zimbabwe under some pressure because we know that will certainly help the senior team for the first Test next week.”

West Indies players Marlon Samuels and Kemar Roach have been named to play alongside the members of the Sagicor High Performance Centre and both teams will be allowed to use 13-players-per-side with 11 allowed to bat.

“This is a big opportunity to make a statement. We have players who have come back from their territories having performed well [in Regional 4 Day and Super 50] and we have players who have played a few rounds, as well as others who are looking for an opportunity,” West noted.

“Every player recognises what this game provides for them and we want to see a positive approach. They will get to play alongside Kemar and Marlon and give them a measure of where they are.”